The 505 GTi - “Everything you never expected from Peugeot!”

Almost any devotee of Peugeot will agree with the writer’s belief that the 505 GTi  was indeed a very special car. When it debuted in 1983, four years after the launch of the 505, it was promoted in the UK as: “Everything you never expected from Peugeot!”.  

Your friendly local dealer could tell you about its limited-slip differential, its lowered suspension, with front and rear anti-roll bars. Best of all, the 505 GTi boasted a 2,165cc, all-alloy engine with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection. The result was the fastest Peugeot sold in the UK up to that point, with a top speed of 112mph.  

Obviously, anyone prepared to spend £12,360 in 1987 on a sports saloon would demand a high level of equipment, and the GTi came with metallic paint, alloy wheels, electric windows, tinted glass, central locking (“including the boot and fuel filler”), and a power-operated sliding roof. That was not all, as you could boast to your colleagues and neighbours about the GTi’s differential, metallic paint, tinted glass, electrically operated windows, a Philips 741 stereo radio/ cassette with an electric aerial.

The proud owner could also speak of the 505 GTi’s “Adjustable lumbar support on driver's seat” and decadent velour trim. There was even an ‘Econoscope’ mounted in the rev counter – a green light to denote economical driving, progressing to amber, and red on acceleration.

Despite its front air dam and boot spoiler, the 505 GTi did not look particularly aggressive, but then Peugeot’s ethos was one of engineering integrity rather than flamboyance for its own sake. The GTi was their alternative to the BMW 520i at £13,075, or the Mercedes-Benz 200 W124 at £14,660. Motor Sport believed that the 505 acquitted itself “well in give-and-take situations, but its real forte is long, fast journeys with a family on board.

At its price, the GTI represents a very good purchase”.

Our well-heeled owner in 1987 might have also considered a Lancia Thema 2000 ie LX at £13,925 or a Vauxhall Carlton 2.0i CD at £13,180. The Rover 820i cost £12,565, the Volvo 740GLE was £13,590, while a Saab 900i 4-door was a mere £10,795.  If a separate boot was not your immediate priority, the Renault 25 GTX was £12,250, the Ford Granada 2.0 EFI Ghia cost £13,052, while the Fiat Croma ie Super would set you back £10,676.

However, a Peugeot owner would accept no less than a car than the GTi. When the last 505 departed the Sochaux plant in 1992, it marked the end of an era for the company, as it was their final RWD car. The 605, which supplanted the 505 from 1989 onward, was front-wheel-drive.

And this 1987 light metallic blue 505 GTi sold by the Percival Motor Company is a reminder of the car that was “Everything You Never Expected From Peugeot”.

With thanks to Percival Motor Company for his time.

With thanks to Percival Motor Company for his permission to use the images in this blog.